We took a trip down the connecticut river with GRO and couldn't have asked for better service. No one was left in the dark, we were given direct attention when asking questions. No one was pushed into the river prematurely (which does tend to happen with other outfitter's I have been to), the staff was obviously knowledgable of the subjects being discussed, and accomadated the more unexperienced paddlers nicely!
If you are looking for a relaxing float down the river in a kayak this is not the trip for you. If you like to stop and swim, eat lunch at one stop and maybe a snack, again, this is not the trip for you.
Had the most lovely day with my family.
If you would like to leave for your trip late because of other group's late arrival, this is the trip for you. If you don't mind picking your kayak up out of the water, with all your stuff, over sharp slippery rocks and through poison ivy, this is the trip for you. If you don't mind calling at the half way point, concerned you won't make it back in time for closing asking to be picked up at the half way point with the rocky, poison ivy portage and being refused assistance, this is the trip for you. By the way, they will try to charge you a fee if you arrive late, but you can get out of that fee by canceling payment with your credit card company and having a lawyer send a cease and desist letter. It isn't mentioned in the paperwork anywhere.
I am a better than average recreational kayaker. I have my own kayak, paddle and rescue equipment. I wanted to have an effort free kayaking day with a group of inexperienced (relatively) friends. Athletic is not what we wanted. We told the office repeatedly that we were looking for a lazy, relaxing time on the river and even showed up in costume to emphasize our lack of "seriousness". The trip started by dropping us in a public park where we had to transport our kayaks from the cart down a 5 ft drop to the shore. We got in and started off at our leisurely pace. We were moving slowly and so when we reached the halfway point, I called the office suggesting they pick us up, because without an athletic effort from our group, we were not going to make it on time. This half-way point is where they drop the half-day kayakers, so I thought it would be an ideal location. They refused, insisting we would make it back on time, but also refusing to wave any penalty if we didn't. I told them based on my experience we should be picked up. They said they wouldn't pick us up for 2 hours. So, most of our group having left most forms of digital entertainment behind in our cars, we were not looking forward to 2 hours on a muddy, rocky, poison ivy infested bank. We charged on at our fastest pace to make it back on time, which we did so without receiving a late charge. The whole point of a relaxing trip was missed, however, due to the stress and athleticism required to meet their deadline for the all day trip.
Friendly service and staff. Quality watercraft to rent and use on a beautiful stretch of the Connecticut river. Only thing holding it back from 5 stars is I had reserved (and pre-paid for) 2 tandem and 1 single kayak. When we got there they informed us they only had 1 tandem kayak. Ended up with a canoe, a tandem and a single instead. Not that big of a deal, but as I said I pre-paid and reserved ahead of time.
The location in and of itself makes this place an essential stop, whether you're a local or from out of town. Nowhere else is there a place quite like this that has something for EVERYONE!
The stretch of river is beautifully central yet remote. Blissfully devoid of roads, signs, bridges and anything else man made! Bald eagles and other wildlife going about their business as usual, while the river pulled us downstream to the Path of Life Garden. There we were able to spend time and have a picnic in full size tipis!
In other words, definitely worth checking out!
For the value of this establishment alone I wuld give 10/10. Yet I didn't even mention the Harpoon brewery, the Vermont Farmer's Cupboard, or Simon Pearce artisan pottery: All within walking distance!
Great River Outfitters is a US Travel Agency based in Windsor, New Hampshire. Great River Outfitters is located at 36 Park Rd, Windsor, VT 05089, USA.
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